Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Hillsborough County Code Enforcement has a sense of humor. Er… at least they try. Check out the latest Code Enforcement Press Release and related brochure:

CODE ENFORCEMENT LISTS THE “DIRTY DOZEN” TOP VIOLATIONS FOR 2006

In 2006, the Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Department issued 13,041 violations in unincorporated Hillsborough County, citing a variety of community standards, public health and public safety issues. These violations can lead to fines and, in extreme cases, foreclosure on your home. They also affect the appearance and safety of our community. So, it is important that you know about the Codes and Ordinances that affect your property.

To help you learn more about these issues, we have put together a list of the most common violations that were cited last year and an explanation of the Code or Ordinance that they relate to.

The official sounding stuff is after the jump below, but here are the dirty dozen, the County’s quick somewhat humorous description of the violations, and the number of violations:

1. Accumulations of junk, trash and debris on property OR: All the stuff that belongs in the dump, but never seems to make it there. 4,064
2. Inoperable vehicles OR: Uncle Larry’s “classic” truck (motor not included). 1,819
3. Overgrown conditions OR: When you cannot see Uncle Larry’s “classic” truck because the grass is too tall. *Refer to violation #2. 1,688
4. Improperly parking commercial vehicles on residential property OR: When your front yard becomes an all-night truck stop. 807
5. Improper fences OR: When your property looks like a fortress because of the barricade around it. 761
6. Broken or missing windows OR: Just because the neighbor’s kid broke the window, doesn’t mean you don’t have to fix it. 710
7. Improperly-stored vehicle parts OR: Parts that belong on uncle Larry’s “classic” truck laying all around the yard. *Refer to violation #2. 651
8. None or not enough GFCI electrical outlets in structure Remember, unless you want a “permanent” permanent, always use GFCI’s. 609
9. Improperly-stored materials, equipment and vehicles OR: It’s time to build a shed if you’re going to store that much stuff. *Some restrictions may apply. 536
10. Improper use of property other than its zoning OR: A home is not a home when you are operating a business out of it. *Some restrictions may apply. 511
11. Improperly installed or sealed walls in a structure OR: Feeling the outside breezes inside your living room, when the window is closed. 506
12. None or not enough smoke detectors in a structure OR: Relying on your dog or cat to wake you if there is a fire in your house (not a good idea). 464

#1: Junk, Trash & Debris
Otherwise known as: All the stuff that belongs
in the dump, but never seems to make it there.
Hillsborough County Code states that it is
a public nuisance for any owner or occupant
to allow the accumulation, abandonment
or storage of trash, rubbish or junk
on private or public property. These
conditions affect public health and result in
dangerous and unsanitary conditions. 2: Inoperable Vehicles
Otherwise known as: Uncle Larry’s “classic”
truck (motor not included).
Hillsborough County Code states that
inoperable vehicles may not be kept in any
residential-zoned area. It refers to any
vehicle that is in an abandoned, wrecked,
dismantled, scrapped, junked or partially dismantled
condition which includes having
uninflated tires, no wheels, or lacking other
parts necessary for the normal operation of
the vehicle. Additionally, thiss includes any
vehicle that, because of mechanical defects, a
wrecked or partially wrecked frame or
dismantled parts, cannot be operated in a
normal and safe manner.

3: Overgrown Conditions
Otherwise known as: When you cannot see Uncle
Larry’s “classic” truck because the grass is too
tall. *Refer to violation #2.
Hillsborough County Code states that grass
and weeds higher than 10 inches in height
within 200 feet of any building, recreational
area or street right-of-way is not allowed.

4: Improper Use: Commercial
Vehicles
Otherwise known as: When your front yard
becomes an all-night truck stop.
Hillsborough County Code states that trucks
or trailers with the capacity of more than one
ton and made by the manufacturer to be used
for commercial use are not allowed to be
parked on a residential-zoned property.

5: Fence Violations
Otherwise known as: When your property looks
like a fortress because of the barricade around it.
Hillsborough County Code states that fences
may not exceed four feet in the “required”
front yard, or six feet on the side and rear
yard. It must be constructed of materials that
are consistent with the neighborhood and of
commonly-used materials (no scrap metal or
other offensive material). Barbed wire or
other material which may inflict pain or injury
are not allowed in residential zones.

6: Window Violations
Otherwise known as: Just because the neighbor’s
kid broke the window, doesn’t mean you don’t
have to fix it.
Hillsborough County Code states that every
habitable room of a dwelling must have at
least one window, skylight or glass door
facing directly outdoors. Windows must open
and close freely and be in good repair and
weather-tight.

7: Vehicles: Improper Storage
of Parts
Otherwise known as: Parts that belong on uncle
Larry’s “classic” truck laying all around the yard.
*Refer to violation #2.
Hillsborough County Code states that automobile,
truck, boat or aircraft parts which are
stored outside, exposed to the elements, and
not otherwise under a roof, are not allowed
on a residential-zoned property.

8: Lack of or Improper Use of
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
(GFCI) Outlets
Remember, unless you want a “permanent”
permanent, always use GFCI’s.
Hillsborough County Code states that electrical
outlets need ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI) protection when they are located in
bathrooms; by kitchen counters; by wet bar
sinks within six feet of the outside edge of the
wet bar sink; when located within twenty feet
of the inside wall of an indoor or outdoor
pool or fountain; and on the outside of a
building or structure.

9: Improper Outside/Open
Storage
Otherwise known as: It’s time to build a shed if
you’re going to store that much stuff. *Some
restrictions may apply.
Hillsborough County Code states that the
storage of materials, supplies, merchandise,
equipment and commercial vehicles outside
of a building is not allowed in residentialzoned
areas.

10: Improper Use of Zone
Otherwise known as: A home is not a home when
you are operating a business out of it. *Some
restrictions may apply.
Zoning regulations define the type and
location of businesses and housing throughout
the county. The major categories of land uses
are: commercial, residential, agricultural and
mixed-use. Hillsborough County Code does
not allow a use on a property other than what
is permitted by its zoning.

11: Interior Wall Violations
Otherwise known as: Feeling the outside breezes
inside your living room, when the window is
closed.
Hillsborough County Code requires that walls
must be protected from elements by painting
or sealing, and must be in good repair and
weather-tight.

12: Lack of Smoke Detectors
Otherwise known as: Relying on your dog or cat
to wake you if there is a fire in your house (not a
good idea).
Hillsborough County Code states that operational
smoke detectors are required outside
all bedroom doors within a reasonable
distance, and be mounted in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions.

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